Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-03-18
OBITUARY..


DIED.-In Middlebury on Thursday, Mardh
3, lss7, Capt. Grin Abbey, aged 50 years 4
months and 81 days.
Orin Abbey was the son of solomon and Su-
san (Gile) Abbey, and was born in Bethle-
hem, New Hampshire, October 4, ls06. When
he was about six years of age his parents re
moved TO Middlebury and he passed most OF
the remainder OF his long and honorable lite
in this town, but lived tor short periods in
liinesburgh, Shoreham, Burlington and Es-
SEX
Mr.. Abbey was twice married. His first
wlte was Dimmis Clarrissa Tucker, to whom
he was married in the year ls29. BY her he
had six children, as follows: Otis, now II res
aene I in Port Hg he w t
of Mr. Edwin L. Kelley of Hudson, y. Y
Martha, now dead; Julia, the wife OF Mr.. John
Osmond, who lives ut present in Gainesville,
Tex. In 1853 Mr.. Abbey married for his sec
11 9nd wife Melissa Crane, who survives him.
lived with his parents in Middlebury.
Mr.. Abbey was Il gunsmith and Il master
stone mason. In the latter capacity he erect.
ed many structures in different parts of Yer
mont and his work has stood the test of time
in such way as to show the superiority OF
his workmanship. But in his younger days he
was also noted as Il hunter and trapper and
i'll the proper season he made II business of
these occupations, so much SOL fact, that his
hunting and camping tours brought him
handsome financial returns. From the Green
Mountains to the Adirondacks his foottrail
was familiar, and the endless list of bears and
wolves and other valuable tur-bearing wild
animals which he bagged gave evidence OF
his skill. Early accustomed to the use OF the
shotgun and the rifle, Mr.. Abbey probably
was, until age had greatly dimmed his sight,
by all odds the best rtic-shot in Addison
county When he was Young man and even
after he had passed his prime, there were
musters, training days and shooting matches,
and the Fourth OF July had not lost its pris.
tine lustre. At all the public gatherings then
in vogue on such occasions. Mr.. Abbey was Il
central and always IL conspicuous figure. He
was the captain OF a regularly organized rifle
club and OF militia company, and from these
facts came the title of Captain, by which he
was so long flniliarly called. In his later lite
he always spoke with fond remembrance of
those old days forever gone.
But there was another and more important
side OF his nature which was not so much re-
vealed to public scrutiny. Mr., Abbey was an
essentially religious man but was not a ire
quent church-goer, because the denomination
to whose tenets he pinned his faith, that of
the Universalists, but seldom held services in
town. While adhering unswerVngly to his
own religious belief, he was no bigot and was,
ON the contrary, extremely tolerant of the re-
ligious opinions of others. Besides he was
in the judgment of those who knew him best
what many regular church-gOcrs are said
not to be, an upright, honest man, scrupulOus-
ly honorable in every relation OF life. He was
man who was well known to many people,
and not one among them all can bring "A word
OF just reproach against his memory.
Although Mr.. Abbey was not what was call
ed an educated man, he had an originally
strong and powerful mind which he improved
by reading and thinking until he became Il
much better read and better informed man
than many men who are supposed to be edu-
Gated. He was well read in historical. relig-
ious and political literature, but never wished
to make any display OF his knowledge, and it
was only "A few OF his closest friends to whom
he ever opened up fully the rich resources of
his mind and memory In politics Mr.. Abbey
was Democrat. The first ballot he ever cast
was II Democratic ballot, and IN State and ma.
tional politics he never cast any other. He
had an intense admiration tor Jefferson and
jackson, and his strong mind was stepped in
the writings of the great Democratic leaders
OF our earlier history. He loved TO sit by his
own tireside and discuss their teachings and
characters with his chosen friends, and at
such times as these one found him at his best.
He was Democrat on principle; he believed
sincerely in the Democratic philosophy OF
politics, and while he was Mt all times willing
to allow those who differed from him the wild.
est latitude of opinion, he clung steadily and
steadfastly to his own party and never could
see any urgent or adequate reason for chang
ing his political faith.
Capt. Abbey was vigorous and powerful in
body, rs he was strong in mind and in charac-
ter. II he had faults, they were trifiing, and
such AS are inseparable from the best quail
ty of human nature. What need To say more ?
The writer knew him thoroughly and well,
and from his long acquaintance does not hes
itate to say that Mr.. Abbey's genuine man
hood and sturdy worth were entitled TO the